UP Govt increased retirement age of State Election Commissioner to 68 years

The Uttar Pradesh Government enhanced the retirement age of State Election Commissioner (SEC) from 65 to 68 years.

The UP government amended the UP State Election Commission (Panchayat and Local bodies) (services and conditions of services) Rules 1994 to increase the term of the SEC up to either 68 years of age or 6-year tenure. Earlier the term of SEC was of 5 years.

State Election Commissioner

73rd and 74th Amendment Act of 1992 of the Constitution of India provide for the formation of State Election Commissions.

These Amendment Act introduced Article 243K and Article 243ZA in the Constitution of India. As per these two Articles, superintendence, direction, control and preparation of electoral rolls for conducting all elections to Panchayat Raj bodies and Municipal bodies in the State are vested in a State Election Commission which comprises a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor.

The powers and functions of the SEC are similar to those vested in the Election Commission of India constituted under Article 324 of the Constitution of India in their respective field.